The African tech investment community marked a milestone this week as Yemi Keri, co-founder of Rising Tide Africa (RTA), was named Angel Investor of the Year at the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (AESIS). The award recognizes her longstanding commitment to widening access to capital, advancing gender-lens investing, and empowering early-stage entrepreneurs across the continent.
Organized annually by VC4A (Venture Capital for Africa) and the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), AESIS is widely regarded as the flagship convening for Africa’s early-stage investor ecosystem. This year’s edition brought together more than 500 accredited investors, venture capitalists, and ecosystem builders to explore the future of the continent’s private equity and startup landscape.
Championing Inclusive Capital
Keri’s win reflects a broader evolution within Africa’s investment terrain—one that prizes inclusive growth, founder support, and diversity alongside financial returns. In her acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to the rising wave of female founders and investors shaping Africa’s next economic chapter.
“This award is not just for me; it is for every woman who has dared to back a dream and every founder working tirelessly to build the ‘New Africa’,” she said. “At Rising Tide Africa, we believe capital is a tool for transformation. When we invest in women, we invest in the prosperity of our communities.”
Rising Tide Africa’s Expanding Influence
Founded to deepen women’s participation in angel investing, Rising Tide Africa has grown into one of the continent’s most visible networks of female investors. Under Keri’s guidance, the group provides more than funding—it offers mentorship, investor education, and cross-border networks that strengthen the continent’s entrepreneurial pipeline.
RTA’s portfolio spans fintech, healthtech, agritech, and other high-impact sectors. Its gender-smart investment approach is helping close the longstanding financing gap for female-led ventures, which continue to secure a disproportionately small share of Africa’s venture capital. Keri’s recognition highlights the network’s impact in demonstrating the value of diverse investor pools.
A Career Rooted in Technology and Impact
Keri’s influence extends well beyond angel investing. As CEO of Heckerbella Limited, a digital transformation company, she brings more than 20 years of experience in Nigeria’s technology and telecommunications sectors. Her career has earned her several accolades, including recognition as Nigeria’s Most Outstanding Public Sector CIO.
She also serves on the boards of the Lagos Angel Network (LAN) and ABAN, where she advocates for policies that improve the ease of deploying capital across African markets and strengthen investor protections.
About the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit
AESIS serves as the annual “town hall” for Africa’s early-stage investment community. This year’s program centered on resilience, exit pathways, and the growing importance of domestic capital in sustaining startup growth.
The Angel Investor of the Year award—one of the summit’s top honors—is determined by a jury of industry peers who assess nominees on deal activity, portfolio engagement, and ecosystem contribution. Keri’s selection reflects her dual role in backing transformative startups and building structures that empower other investors.
What’s Next
Following the award, RTA announced plans to expand its footprint with new masterclasses for aspiring angel investors and stronger collaborations with institutional partners aimed at unlocking additional funding for early-stage ventures.
As the summit drew to a close, participants expressed optimism about the future. Keri’s recognition, many noted, stands as a powerful signal that Africa’s investment ecosystem is moving toward a more inclusive and collaborative era.
Key Facts
- Award: Angel Investor of the Year
- Recipient: Yemi Keri, Co-founder, Rising Tide Africa
- Event: Africa Early Stage Investor Summit (AESIS)
- Organizers: VC4A and ABAN
- Theme: Growth of female-led investment networks and gender-lens investing in Africa
